Dutchie

Hi everyone interested.

Built in good old Germany, shipped to the UAE 21 months ago, and now back in the EU. Got a phone call this afternoon from the Rotterdam port authorities. One Audi A6 3.2 liter V6 Quattro just came rolling out of a 20 foot sea container in mint condition. Now an other € 2.850 to get her road worthy in Europe again + €200 for Dutch number plates + €???? Luxury tax and my Ford can go to her final resting place. (Sorry all you females on this BE board, but this is a male thing. Can't wait to take her back onto the German highways where she belongs.)

Bijilo123

It looks like a car to me.

Dutchie

Yup... And bought her about half the price I would normally pay in Holland.

Confucius

I love Audis...They have character...
But that photo is not the actual car you bought, is it???

TGFKASE

Have to admit, I do miss my Audi......

S4 Avant in Imola Yellow... Took her from Aberdeen to Frankfurt for a vacation trip a few summers ago..

Drove instead of flying for 2 reasons.. #1 Lufthansa (!!!???!!) and #2 letting her out onto the autobahns..... Fast lanes were built for S4's.....

Dutchie

Good morning TGFKase,

It's been a while since I owned an Audi myself. Last one was about 20 years ago, the large Audi 100, I don't know if you know that model? I already have the new head lights sets, radiator and complete front wheel breaking system lying here. A friend of mine will bring her back to EU specifications. I never trusted car mechanics, a standard maintenance job I can do myself, but won't touch the breaks or the adjustment thereof. Then it's off for the road worthy certificate and a pit stop at the Dutch Tax people to determine the remaining amount of BPM (Luxury tax) on her which I estimate at +/- €4.000. All together I think it's about three days work. Total savings? If I look at what they are asking for the same model in Holland second hand is +/- €20.000. Still not a bad deal.

Charismatic

So can we see some pictures of your ol' faithful?

I always love seeing/being in older cars, it's almost like a old house you might need to kick the front door in a certain way to get it to close or turn the shower on before getting undressed so it's hot but they define the charecter of the house. It goes beyond just being a plumbing problem to being a lovable trait, only you know the exact way to kick the door so it will lock.

I've got an early IBM 300 PL (mid 90's) for exactly the same reason, I fell in love with it (I'm not usually a hoarder) so I had it shipped half way around the world. Sure I've had to upgrade it a few times (way beyond what was economically viable) when stuff broke but it's totally unique now and it's become a part of me...only I know how to press the power switch with a pencil to turn it on or that it has this quality feel about it because PCs where expensive and made to last.

My own behavior is so contradictory on this point, I seek things in my life that are faster, better looking, trouble free etc. but fall in love with the imperfections. I guess thats why petrolheads love Alfa Romeos?

Dutchie

Alfa's ? You're seriously joking aren't you? A yuppie car like that? No, not my thing. At least my Audi won't rust, can't say the same thing for an Alfa Romeo. But hey if it gives you your kicks? Drive in one. The photo I put on my first post is to show the model, mine has cream colored leather interior which I'm not really a great lover of. But that's all the sand rabbit had to offer that stayed within the limits of my budget. Hmmm... Looked at the S8 he had on offer as well. 5,7 liter V10 engine? The brain kicked in on time, choose the A6 instead.

Charismatic

I'm serious, they are pretty good fun to drive. I think Jeremy Clarkson sumed the reliability problems up nicely with the comment "Alfa make a car to be as good as it can possibly be...very briefly".

Also they do make good "car porn":

Dutchie

Hi C,

Neah... Not my preferred brand of car. But if you fall for Alfa's go for it. I hope my Audi will last me 10+ years, just like the feeling of a 3.2 liter quattro. Which most probably will result in a speeding ticket the first week I drive her. Then the brain starts to kick in.

matthew.lewis2

I am there with you! Drove from the UK to Austria on holiday once in my 2004 Civic Type R, had loads of fun.

But I have grown up since then, took delivery of my Nov. 2007 RS4 a few weeks ago, and love it, a car I had dreamed of having since it was launched.

TGFKASE

Heres my baby. Got her in storage back in the UK for whenever I head back to visit.....

TGFKASE

Have to agree with C on this one... If you are a real petrol head, you must, at some point in your life, own an Alfa....

They rust like crazy, go thru parts like crazy and will breakdown on you at the most inopportune moment but, when everything is working, they are probably the best drivers car on the road.....

matthew.lewis2

And here is mine...

TGFKASE

Have to admit, I am now suffering from car-envy!! If it hadn't been for the fact that I had to use my car allowance to buy 2 cars, its what I would have bought!! But, I am more than happy with my current form of transport...